...1. LEGO’s movie-themed products, keyed to popular film franchises such as Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Spiderman, include detailed construction plans. Do you think this is the right strategy? Why or Why not? Justify your assessment of Lego's strategy. To disect whether the inclusion of detailed construction plans in its film-franchised LEGO sets was the right strategy or not, it’s important to start with what the company itself stands for. The name LEGO means “play well”—the focus of the toy manufacturer being “play.” The perennial toy maker has a brand that stands for “self-expression,” and “sponteneity,” and “innovation.” That is, the core of LEGO is not jus that it’s a toy, but that it encourages children to be imaginative and creative with it’s simple interlocking bricks—a child can build anything that he or she can dream up with LEGO products. In fact, LEGO itself recognizes that two of its sources of competitive advantage are creativity and innovation. These are the decisive points for LEGO. They are what make LEGO, LEGO. Creativity and innovation are the product’s differentiators. They are the source of the company’s competitive advantage and, therefore, a key element in the company’s strategy. These differentiators are what propelled LEGO to a peak 85% market share of the construction-toy market. While licensing film francises into its merchandise wasn’t the wrong strategy, including detailed construction plans with those LEGO sets was the wrong strategy...
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...in 2005, Walmart was able to generate cost savings and profits from different areas of its supply chain. Having faced challenges to convince all its stakeholders to participate in this strategy, there is long way from setting a firm foundation for their strategy supply chain wide and to reach a consensus with its stakeholders on the need to focus on sustainability. However, with 2006 coming to an end, Ruben and Elm are pressured to evaluate the performance of their sustainability strategy based on both business and sustainability factors, and to decide whether to continue or halt the programme. Analysis of sustainable strategy Being profit-driven, Walmart has to ensure that business value is derived from the sustainability strategy, in order to maintain its dominant retail position. One benefit was cost reduction throughout the value chain of its products. Waste was effectively eliminated and efficiency in production, packaging, transportation, store operations and customer use was realized. There was introduction of an additional revenue stream by selling the firm’s carbon credits through reduction in carbon emissions. Furthermore, it allowed Walmart to seek strategic level input from outside parties, creating collaboration with various companies to come out with new and innovative green products. Assurance of supply is also achieved, where Walmart was able to lock-in available supply or contribute to the preservation of scarce resources. Better suppliers’ quality was realized...
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...Supply chain model at Amul GCMMF- Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation MUs- Member Unions VCs- Village Co-operatives The farmers bring the milk to the village cooperatives in their bicycles. The milk is then channelized to the member unions located in various states in India. These member unions are independent organizations involved in the process of milk production. The head office of GCMMF is located at Anand. The entire market is divided into five zones. The zonal headquarters are located in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai. Moreover there are 49 depots located across the country and GCMMF also caters to 13 export markets. Amul has an excellent distribution channel. As milk is a perishable product and Amul is spread all over India. It has a robust logistic system consisting of milk vans, tanker lorries and rail wagons to supply its finished products to various parts of the country. Distribution channel in Amul FARMERS FARMERS VCs (without chilling units) VCs (without chilling units) CONSUMERS CONSUMERS CONSUMERS CONSUMERS Retailers Retailers Home delivery contractors Home delivery contractors Wholesalers/ C&S Wholesalers/ C&S Warehouses Warehouses Chilling units Chilling units Milk processing units Milk processing units Local residents Local residents Local Restaueants Local Restaueants VCs (with chilling units) VCs (with chilling units) First of all the products are stored with the warehouses...
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...Q1. How has Solectron’s value to its customers evolved over time? Over the years, Solectron’s value to its customers has evolved drastically from a player in the Electronics Manufacturing Service industry to a Supply Chain integrator for major firms like IBM, HP, Sony, Ericsson, Cisco etc. Initially, Solectron manufactured a wide range of products for its customers in many business segments like Networking, Telecommunications, Computers, Computer peripherals, avionics, consumer electronics, GPS etc. As Solectron grew, it expanded its services so much so that by the end of 90s it had three strategic business units: * Technology Solutions, which provided technology building blocks which helped customers minimise time-to-market for new products * Global Manufacturing, which provided design, new product introduction, and manufacturing and distribution services * Global Services, which provided repair, upgrade, maintenance etc The company, with Mr. Chen concentrated on offering high quality, responsiveness, communication, service and technical support. The main objective was to achieve customer satisfaction by providing high quality. When Solectron offered contract manufacturing services to OEMs, its aim was to offer them services at reduced prices due to greater volume purchasing. Rather than outsourcing as a way to access relatively inexpensive skilled labour, it became a source of tactical advantage which they provided. Tactical turnkey assembly meant that OEMs...
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...1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 DISTRIBUTION Distribution is the process of making a product or service available for use or consumption by a consumer or business user, using direct means, or using indirect means with intermediaries. 1.2 DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL It is the chain of businesses or intermediaries through which a good or service passes until it reaches the end consumer. A distribution channel can include wholesalers, retailers, distributors and even the internet. Channels are broken into direct and indirect forms, with a "direct" channel allowing the consumer to buy the good from the manufacturer and an "indirect" channel allowing the consumer to buy the good from a wholesaler. Direct channels are considered "shorter" than "indirect" ones. Goods and services often pass to consumers through multiple channels. While increasing the number of ways in which a consumer can find a good has the potential to increase sales, it also creates a complex system that can make distribution management difficult. In addition, the longer the distribution channel the less profit a product manufacturer might get from the sale. Distribution channels are probably the most visible aspect of any company’s marketing efforts. A recent estimate puts the number of retail out lets in India at 5 million. The retail industry provides livelihood to more than 15 million people in the country. If one included in this the number of distributors, wholesalers, agents including the army of life insurance agents,...
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...ASSESSING METHANOL PRODUCTION IN CHINA FOR METHANEX by Gabriel Wong Bachelor in Business Administration, Simon Fraser University, 2000 PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION In the Faculty of Business Administration © Gabriel Wong, 2010 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Summer 2010 All rights reserved. This work may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without permission of the author. APPROVAL Name: Gabriel Wong Degree: Master of Business Administration Title of Project: Assessing Methanol Production in China for Methanex Supervisory Committee: __________________________________________ Dr. Pek-Hooi Soh Senior Supervisor Assistant Professor __________________________________________ Dr. Aidan Vining Second Reader CNABS Professor of Business and Government Relations Date Approved: __________________________________________ i ABSTRACT Methanex is the world leader in methanol production and marketing. China is an important market; by 2014 it is forecasted to account for 50% of global demand. The purpose of this project is to determine whether Methanex should invest in methanol production in China. The project approach uses a multi-goal analysis focusing on three goals: (1) Consistent with Corporate Vision, (2) Sustainment of Existing Competitive Advantages, and (3) Profitability. Based on the analysis, the...
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...Filling baby bottles and soothing aching joints are a habit for Abbott. Abbott Laboratories is a top health care products manufacturer. Its pharmaceuticals include HIV treatments Norvir and Kaletra, rheumatoid arthritis therapy Humira, and Lupron to treat endometriosis and prostate cancer. Its nutritional products division makes such well-known brands as Similac infant formula and the Ensure line of nutrition supplements. But at the same time, its competitors are having different strengths and weaknesses to make them surviving in milk powder industry and to compete with Abbott. The two main competitors of Abbott in Hong Kong that we are focusing on is Mead Johnson and Wyeth, the comparison of strengths and weaknesses will be discussed below. For Mead Johnson, it is a global nutritional company. Mead Johnson has aggressive marketing initiatives, especially driven by Direct-to-Consumer campaigns. Its adult formulas are not perceived as a premium product. The similarities of the strengths for Mead Johnson and Abbott are that, both of the companies, Mead Johnson and Abbott, are very well known for its wide range of infant milk production. Both of them are recognized as nutritional expertise locally, nationally and internationally as their products are distributed in more than 100 countries. Second, both of them are famous in US market. Abbott had 20% in 2009 while Mead Johnson had 32%. Third, they both emphasize their own innovative research and development technology. For Abbott...
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...Teva Strategy Overview February 21, 2008 Forward-Looking Statements TODAY S PRESENTATION CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, WHICH EXPRESS THE CURRENT BELIEFS AND EXPECTATIONS OF MANAGEMENT. SUCH STATEMENTS INVOLVE A NUMBER OF KNOWN AND UNKNOWN RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES THAT COULD CAUSE TEVA'S FUTURE RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS TO DIFFER SIGNIFICANTLY FROM THE RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY SUCH FORWARDLOOKING STATEMENTS. IMPORTANT FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE OR CONTRIBUTE TO SUCH DIFFERENCES INCLUDE RISKS RELATING TO: TEVA'S ABILITY TO ACCURATELY PREDICT FUTURE MARKET CONDITIONS, TEVA'S ABILITY TO SUCCESSFULLY DEVELOP AND COMMERCIALIZE ADDITIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS, THE INTRODUCTION OF COMPETING GENERIC EQUIVALENTS, THE EXTENT TO WHICH TEVA MAY OBTAIN U.S. MARKET EXCLUSIVITY FOR CERTAIN OF ITS NEW GENERIC PRODUCTS AND REGULATORY CHANGES THAT MAY PREVENT TEVA FROM UTILIZING EXCLUSIVITY PERIODS, COMPETITION FROM BRAND-NAME COMPANIES THAT ARE UNDER INCREASED PRESSURE TO COUNTER GENERIC PRODUCTS, OR COMPETITORS THAT SEEK TO DELAY THE INTRODUCTION OF GENERIC PRODUCTS, POTENTIAL LIABILITY FOR SALES OF GENERIC PRODUCTS PRIOR TO A FINAL RESOLUTION OF OUTSTANDING PATENT LITIGATION, INCLUDING THAT RELATING TO THE GENERIC VERSIONS OF ALLEGRA , NEURONTIN , LOTREL , FAMVIR , AND PROTONIX , THE IMPACT OF CONSOLIDATION OF OUR DISTRIBUTORS AND CUSTOMERS, THE EFFECTS OF COMPETITION ON OUR INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS, ESPECIALLY COPAXONE SALES, THE IMPACT...
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...technicaland stylistic quality, Luxottica’s mission is multifold: to improve the well-being and satisfaction of its customers while simultaneously creating value for its employees and the communities in which the Group operates. Every collection and every pair of eyewear is the result of an ongoing process of research and development aimed at anticipating and interpreting the needs, desires and aspirations of consumers all over the world as sun and prescription eyewear are increasingly perceived as a desirable and expressive accessory to complete one’s personal look. Luxottica delivers on its mission through its vertically integrated business model, manufacturing excellence, focus on service and geographically diversified footprint, which in turn have led to greater efficiency, flexibility and speed in product design, engineering, supply chain, manufacturing and logistics, whilst being uncompromising in quality. The achievement of high standards of quality reflects the Group’s strong technical and manufacturing know-how -the fruit of over 50 years of experience - and its constant commitment to technological innovation, style and design and the study of changing lifestyles and interpretation of fashion trends. Quality and customer satisfaction are also the objectives of the wholesale and retail distribution networks, which are organized to offer high quality after-sales service that is consistent, but not standardized, being specially tailored to specific local needs and fashion tastes...
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...Wal-Mart Sustainability Strategy “Given the fact that Wal-Mart customers generally are unwilling to pay a premium for environmentally friendly products, how is the company deriving business value from its sustainability strategy, or if not, how can it ensure that it does?” Wal-Mart launched a sustainability strategy to dramatically reduce the company’s impact on the global environment and become “the most competitive and innovative company on the world”(Denend, L.(2007)).I believe the decision to launch a sustainability strategy was a brilliant move for the company because it takes advantage of the opportunity to significantly increase Wal-Mart’s reputation, thereby increasing consumer loyalty and profits in the long-run. Through this strategy, not only would Wal-Mart benefit, but the global environment as a whole. Wal-Mart responded to public concerns of the company’s global environmental impact by contracting a nongovernmental organization (NGO) to research the issue. The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) compiled data regarding the impact in five areas: 1) greenhouse gas emissions, (2) air pollution, (3) water pollution, (4) water use, and (5) land use. From this research came Wal-Mart’s sustainability strategy. The company began to develop goals and objectives to reduce their impact on the environment (Denend, L.(2007)). During the process of developing goals and objectives, the organization’s culture shifted from an internally focused culture...
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...for their offices and all funds were acquired through venture capitalists like Accel India,Tiger Global,etc. This online retail venture currently employs over 4500 employees and has 7 warehouses throughout the country where on an average,20 products are sold per minute. The logistics firm of the company are valued around ₹10,000 Crores And had a massive revenue of around 1200 Crores (FY 2012-13) and plans to reach 2500 Crores this year. Flipkart's reported sales were ₹40 million in Financial Year 2008–2009 and ever since then the company's sales turnover has increased infinitely to the extent that the sales projection is expected to cross ₹10 billion by the end of 2014. At Flipkart, their core values are customer obsession, pursuit of excellence, being depth focused while also creating everything from scratch and, most importantly, always being a ‘merit-based’ organization. Initially for the first 2 years when flipkart only used to deal with the book-business,it had a tie-up with two dealers in...
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...What are the inputs, processing, and outputs of UPS's package tracking system? There are two sides to UPS's package tracking system: the external, customer-oriented side, and the internal company and employee oriented side. The input starts with customer with the creation of a scannable bar-coded “smart” label which can be done from the UPS website or using a special software provided by UPS, both accessible via the internet. These labels will contain data about the sender, the destination, and package arrival times. This data is received by UPS's central computer for processing and the information is then forwarded to one of their distribution centers where logistical planning will occur. UPS drivers are given a handheld Delivery Information Acquisition Device (DIAD) which can immediately record and upload pickup and delivery information and pictures of recipient signature to the UPS network, called UPSnet, for storing and processing. The data being sent from the DIAD is gathered from the scannable label on packages, recipient signatures captured, time card info, satellite feed of traffic patterns and changing schedules. Finally, all this information's outputs will include the UPS intranet available company-wide to distribution centers, customer service centers, etc., and the internet via UPS's website or embedded UPS functions within corporate customer's own websites. What technologies are used by UPS? How are these technologies related to UPS's business strategy? The technologies...
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...Since San Walton opened his first store in 1962, Walmart has grown into a global retailer with more than 4,000 store in the United States and more than 6,000 internationally. Walmart is comprised of three business segments, Walmart US, Walmart International and Sam’s Club. Walmart Global eCommerce works across all three segments. Walmart’s mission statement “We save people money so they can live better”, is not indicative of where its strategic focus areas are, but it does sound good for the average customer who has a limited budget. This mission statement leads directly into Walmart Global eCommerce goals which include combining online, social innovations with physical stores to give consumers “anywhere, anytime shopping experience” in addition to its organizational sustainability goal of creating zero waste, using only sustainable energy and selling products that sustain the environment which is important to all of Walmart’s segments including eCommerce. Walmart’s overall objective is to deliver shareholder value by increasing earnings per share, returns and maintaining strong stable returns on investment. According to Walmart CEO, Mike Duke, Walmart’s strategic focus areas are: •Making sure the company has the best retail talent at every level of the organization by recruiting, developing and retaining the best associates; •Delivering on the productivity loop that enables Walmart to operate for less so the company can drive prices even lower for its customers ...
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...Introduction: Vision: To be a Rs. 50 billion food company by the year 2020 in the convenience food segment by launching products and services in the domestic and international markets that enhance lifestyle and create value for our customers through management excellence at all levels. History: National Foods began its journey in 1970 as a Spice company, with a revolutionary product that popularized the concept of having clean, healthy food. National foods’ initiatives were, to make food that is hygienic, reduce time spent in the kitchen by women, foster health and contribute towards personal attractiveness, so that people who use our products would be able to experience a more rewarding life-style. This was long before the phrase ‘Corporate Mission’ had even been invented. However, our founder’s philosophy remains unchanged over time. Even if their language – and the notion of only women doing the housework – have become outdated, in this age of rapidly changing lifestyles, fuelled by the rampant development of technology; consumers are compelled to alter their eating habits. National Foods responds to this challenge of developing innovative food products based on convenience and quick preparation in line with modern lifestyles and yet retains traditional values through its diverse collection of food products. In a history that now crosses three decades, National Foods’ success has been influenced by the major events of the day – economic boom, depression, wars...
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...IT TAKES A LEADER TO TAKE YOU PLACES. A n n u A l r e p o r t 2 0 1 2 2 0 1 3 Growth is… movinG from strenGth to strenGth Flamingos, known for their undeniable beauty, are also recognised as a species that stays strong by sticking together, no matter how trying the circumstances are. But for a flock to be strong, it needs an equally resilient leader to take them in the right direction. Just like Gati, the leader of the logistics industry in India. Gati Limited is India’s leader in providing Express Distribution services, Supply Chain Solutions, Cold Chain Transportation Solutions, Warehousing, International Freight Forwarding, Custom Clearance and e-Commerce Solutions. Founded in 1989 as a cargo management company, Gati pioneered Express Distribution Services in India. With a track record of 24 years, Gati is one of India’s most coveted companies, employing 3500 people, and serving over 5000 customers – including the top 10 brands in the Automotive, Healthcare, Engineering and Consumer Durables industry. Gati has a strong market presence in the Asia Pacific region and SAARC countries, with offices in China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and Nepal, and has plans to foray into other markets. In a Company where every employee demonstrates dedication and commitment to succeed, its little wonder that Gati is the leader, taking the industry places. values are… a force to be reckoned with Flamingos, as is ingrained in their DNAs for centuries, instinctively have values that...
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